Lloyd, at 10 years
High School Graduation
Wedding Day (a 67-year marriage)
Working on the Alaskan Highway
On the John Deere he'd owned years before
Looking pleasant, as always
With great grandkids
The last photo taken, at Thanksgiving 2010
My dad went to be with his Lord at 2:30 AM, Sunday, December 19. He was a man not afraid to die, for he wasn't worried whether or not he'd be found 'good enough' to get to Heaven. He trusted in Christ's righteousness alone, our only hope of salvation. And he knew that on the other side was his Savior Jesus Christ and life unbelievable.
About 3:30 this morning I turned to my husband and said, 'I wonder what it's like for Dad right now.' He responded, 'Way different than he ever expected.'
from Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis:
'...our notion of Heaven involves perpetual negations: no food, no drink, no sex, no movement, no mirth, no events, no time, no art...We must believe - and therefore in some degree imagine - that every negation will be only the reverse side of a fulfilling...How far the life of the risen man will be sensory, we do not know. But I surmise that it will differ from the sensory life we know here, not as emptiness differs from water or water from wine but as a flower differs from a bulb or a cathedral from an architect's drawing.'
I will miss this wonderful man who was such a great dad and a true example to me of God's love.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I know without a shadow of a doubt that you will see him again someday. My prayers are with you in this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs to you today. What a sweet assurance that this one you loved so dearly is now with Jesus and that you will see him again. No more pain or suffering or worries just pure delight and love. It is so difficult to lose someone we love during the holidays, you'll be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Your father sounds like such a wonderful man, and you sound so proud. My prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThis morning in church pastor talked about the reality of Christmas, what the trip to Bethlehem must have been like for a pregnant Mary, to give birth in a stable and have visitors show up who were sent by angels. I pictured it as never before.
Now, with your words of faith, I can see the reality of WHY Christ came. I'm so glad that reality is comforting you today, and that your father is rejoicing in the place beyond what we can imagine.
Hugs to you from across "the pond".
What a wonderful tribute for your father. I love that picture with him on the Alaskan Highway. It looks like he lived a happy and full life with a lot of loving family. Blessings to you and you family with my sincerest sympathies.
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Stacey's. She shared your link on Facebook. I am sorry for the loss of your father, but am rejoicing that he knew the Lord. May God comfort you with the wonderful memories you have of this beautiful person. I enjoyed hearing of his life and seeing the pictures. ((((HUGS)))) from a sister in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a great blessing and comfort to know that your dad is in glory, experiencing something that we only long to know, with no desire to return. I know you will miss him. I have lost both my parents and still miss them, my dad being gone for 38 years now. But I wouldn't want them back, knowing that they are in the presence of our dear Savior and Lord. I am praying for you, my unseen friend. Gloria
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, I am praying for you and your family right now. Just rejoice knowing that he is celebrating in heaven right now. He gets to be with Jesus on his birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rach
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to think about your father, even through your own grief and loss. Prayers to you and your family. This will be a time of wonderful memories mixed with a few tears.
ReplyDeleteHUGS and MORE HUGS!
What a wonderful tribute! I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. It's always more difficult for those left behind and more so at this time of year. I remember when my Dad died, it brought comfort to know where he was. Strangely enough, circumstances moved in such a way that I moved to a house in more recent times to a place nearby the cemetery where he was buried. It doesn't seem like he's there .... because he's not, he's in a place prepared for him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your father - please be assured of my love, thoughts and prayers at this time. Judyx
ReplyDeleteJudy, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. What a wonderful tribute you have given him here. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this sad time. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYour dad sounds like a wonderful man! Praying for you and your family as you mourn the loss of someone so dearly loved! And thanking God with you that we do not mourn as those without hope, but as those with assurance of the joy that awaits us (as is so evident in your post).
ReplyDeleteLots of love sent your way!
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will be praying for you. It is such a blessing to have a father that left such a great legacy.
ReplyDeleteTo every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,2,4,11
Oh, Judy, my heart goes out to you and your family. Thinking of you at this time as you celebrate your dad's life. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. What a sweet legacy he left behind.
ReplyDeleteHUGS. I am so sorry for your loss, but so glad for your foundation of faith that comforts you during this time.
ReplyDeleteJudy - so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. No matter how we prepare for it, or even know that they are in a better place and that we will see them again -and worship the King of Kings together in heaven - it is still sad to say goodbye for a time.
ReplyDeleteMy dad has been gone now 15 years and it will be 10 years in January that my mom went home to be with the Lord. It's just another 'new normal' that we get used to - not having them here with us - but knowing they are in the presence of the King.
Praying God comforts your heart in your loss.
Valerie
I just happened upon your blog today, and just wanted to express my deep sympathy for your loss. i lost my dad three years ago a few days after Christmas, and while the grief was unimaginable, it was a comfort knowing that he was finally free. I hope that you can feel that same comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you.
Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words of encouragement during this sad time for our family. We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI too am very sorry to hear the sad news of your father's death. You and your family are in my prayers and I hope you find comfort and strength when you most need it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tribute to your dad my friend and your love for him has shown through (right to the end of his life) with every word you have ever spoken of him. I will miss seeing the two of you having coffee together in town and you both seemingly enjoying every minute of it. You have such wonderful memories of him to re-visit in the coming days. I love you and am praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteJudy, so, so sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. My prayers are with you and your family. I count you as a blogger friend and your tribute to your Dad was very moving. God Bless you all. Linda
ReplyDelete"I can only imagine what that day will bring...". All I know is that your father is home. Thanks for sharing this. Beautiful family. Merry Christmas and Blessings in the year to come.
ReplyDeleteYour sister in Christ,
Johnnie
So very sorry to hear of your loss Judy. Love to you and the family - I've heard just what a wonderful man your dad was. Love Lolly and the boys xxx
ReplyDeleteNow THIS is the post I've been searching for...oh, Judy, such a beautiful tribute...great pictures of him and the great grands along with such comforting words, as well! To die in peace, looking forward, what a way to go! I love what your husband said, "way different than expected"...so true! None of us can begin to imagine, just as the CS Lewis quote so aptly describes! Well, I am sorry that I am late in extending my sympathy...what a life well-lived, I'm sure you WILL miss him as you said in the e-mail!
ReplyDelete